2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security schools.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Homeland Security Schools
For return on investment in homeland security, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for homeland security. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #3 place for homeland security. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,562 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $39,624. Set against $14,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,617 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $48,753. That is a strong return on a $24,617 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,770. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University landed the #7 spot for homeland security value this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $62,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Albany landed the #8 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $38,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $31,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rowan University earned the #11 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,002. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $26,486. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rosemont College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Rosemont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rosemont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,854. Students borrow a median of $29,211 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Rosemont College generally make around $55,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Utica College came in at #14 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $71,852. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.
Roberts Wesleyan College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security. Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,826. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $27,000. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $27,387. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Metropolitan College Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of New York, Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,188. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $42,218. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Metropolitan College Of New York generally make around $49,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #17 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University earned the #18 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,847 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $49,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
George Washington University landed the #19 spot for homeland security value this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $111,258. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University earned the #20 position for value in homeland security this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $81,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
American University landed the #21 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $70,939. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
